Month: October 2019

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What the Dickens?

The last real day trip that we did out of Rustington was on Friday to Portsmouth. We had a map of the city, and as soon as I saw that it was the birthplace of Charles Dickens I wanted to go. Bob discovered that the home/museum was only open from a Friday through Sunday which helped us determine which day to go. Now having been we’d like to go back to explore the city more completely. Portsmouth was a 50 minute train ride from the Angmering Rail Station, about a 30 minute walk from our home.

We saw the following in or near the city center.

A fountain dedicated for the Queen’s silver anniversary
We saw a number of food trucks, but we liked the name of this one
The rail station we arrived at. We left out of the harbor station.

We started off for the Charles Dickens home for our first stop. The house was small and fairly quick to peruse with paddles in each room to provide information on what you were seeing. My favorite part was that the gift shop sells his books for 2.50 pounds (about $3) each! Of course I had to buy one.

Signage to the museum
The home where Charles Dickens was born
The bed where Dickens was born
And full circle, the chaise on which he died (though not in this house)
A statue of Charles Dickens in Guildhall Square

From the town center we walked to Gunwharf Quay to see the Spinnaker Tower that we had seen on the news channel as well as to walk along the busy wharf. It is a great area with lots of retail, a transportation center, info along the coast about D-Day as the ships sailed out of Portsmouth, and housing. We continued down the coast along the Millennial Walk. Due to time constraints we left lots undone here. We’d like to get back to visit the D-Day Museum, go up in the Spinnaker Tower, see some of the old ships, and then sail over to the Isle of Wight or Jersey or Guernsey.

Walking towards Gunwharf Quay
Entering the quay through an old gate
New residential/retail
We liked the look of this building and thought it would be fun to sit upstairs by the windows
A canal in the quay area by the harbor
A bakery in what looks to be an old tram car
Some of the D-Day info along the harbor
A cute statue
A figurehead from a ship along the canal
The Spinnaker Tower, 3 guesses as to what it looks like

Photos from the Millennial Walk —

Lovely building and gardens, reminded us of an old customs building
We weren’t sure what this building was but loved the incorporation of the flag
We just love the look of pubs. They just have a bit of charm about them.
The ferry to the Isle of Wight
Another view of the Tower
An old battery structure
Looking out one of the gun holes
Bridges and boat along the harbor
A better view of the pebbled beach and water south of the pier
A great green space/park across the road from the water

An impressive wars memorial

We went to Portsmouth on Friday. Late Sunday morning, Bob left to begin his journey to our next house sit in Denver for one of his classmates. I stayed until Sunday night and am now in London to begin my journey back. I’ll be headed to Illinois to try to be of some use to my sister. The last photo is me with George and Hamish during my last bit with them. Super sweet dogs, there were some tears shed (who knew dogs could cry?! 😁) as I walked out to catch my taxi.

Sharing a chair, cuz they both must be near you.